Orthopedic clamping hook assembly

Abstract

An occipital clamping hook assembly includes a hook for engaging a first side of an occipital bone and a compressor movable relative to the hook for applying a compressive force to the occipital bone from a second side of the occipital bone. The occipital clamping assembly further includes a rod-receiving portion coupled to the hook for coupling a rod to the occipital bone engaged by the hook.

1. An orthopedic clamping hook assembly comprising:
 a body having a longitudinal axis; 
 a rod-receiving portion disposed at a first end of the body; 
 a hook disposed at a second end of the body for engaging a first side of a bone, the hook comprising a curved portion extending from the body, and a straight end portion extending from the curved portion and for engaging the first side of the bone, the straight end portion being disposed substantially perpendicular to the rod-receiving portion and extending beyond a width of the body; and 
 a compressor encircling the body below the rod receiving portion for engaging a second side of the bone, the straight end portion of the hook having a length such that a tip of the straight end portion aligns with an outer edge of the compressor to apply a compressive force to the bone when the bone is disposed between the hook and the compressor, 
 wherein when the compressor is in an engaged position where the compressor engages the bone, a compressive force is maintained on the bone disposed between the compressor and the hook, 
 wherein the body comprises a first set of threads for mating with a second set of threads formed on the compressor to movably couple the body and the compressor, the first set of threads extending from a portion of the body around the rod-receiving portion to the curved portion of the hook. 
 
     
     
       2. The orthopedic clamping hook assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the compressor is axially movable relative to the body. 
     
     
       3. The orthopedic clamping hook assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the compressor and hook are separated by a variable separation distance. 
     
     
       4. The orthopedic clamping hook assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of threads is located on an outer surface of the body. 
     
     
       5. The orthopedic clamping hook assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes an axially extending inner passageway, and a third set of threads is located on an interior surface of the axially extending inner passageway of the body. 
     
     
       6. The orthopedic clamping hook assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the compressor comprises a flange encircling the body. 
     
     
       7. The orthopedic clamping hook assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the compressor is substantially cylindrical-shaped and axially movable along an axially extending passageway formed in the body. 
     
     
       8. The orthopedic clamping hook assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the compressor in an engaged position when the compressor engages and compresses the bone. 
     
     
       9. An occipital clamping hook assembly, comprising:
 a body having a longitudinal axis; 
 a rod-receiving portion disposed at a first end of the body; 
 a hook disposed at a second end of the body and configured to engage a side of an occipital bone, the hook comprising a curved portion extending from the body, and a straight end portion extending from the curved portion and for engaging the side of the occipital bone; and 
 a compressor encircling the body below the rod receiving portion, an outer edge of the compressor aligning with an end tip of the hook so that a compressive force is applied to the occipital bone when the bone is disposed between the hook and the compressor, the compressor having a central opening, wherein when the compressor is in an engaged position where the compressor engages the bone, a compressive force is maintained on the bone disposed between the compressor and the hook, 
 wherein the body comprises a first set of threads on an outer surface of the body, the first set of threads extending from a portion of the body around the rod-receiving portion to the curved portion of the hook, 
 wherein the compressor comprises a second set of threads on an inner surface of the compressor so that the compressor axially moves over the threads of the body. 
 
     
     
       10. The occipital clamping hook assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the hook, and the rod-receiving portion are integrally formed with the body. 
     
     
       11. The occipital clamping hook assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the compressor comprises a substantially disc-shaped flange having a central opening configured to receive and encircle the body. 
     
     
       12. The occipital clamping hook assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the body has a substantially cylindrical shape. 
     
     
       13. The occipital clamping hook assembly of  claim 9 , wherein an inner diameter of the compressor is larger than an outer diameter of the body to accommodate the body in the central opening. 
     
     
       14. A clamping hook assembly, comprising:
 a body having a longitudinal axis extending in an axial direction; 
 a rod-receiving portion disposed at a first end of the body; 
 a hook disposed at a second end of the body, the hook comprising a curved portion extending from the body, and a straight end portion extending from the curved portion; and 
 a compressor encircling the body below the rod receiving portion, the compressor comprising:
 a central opening configured to fit around the body of the clamping hook assembly; 
 a closed ridge surrounding the central opening, wherein the closed ridge increases the thickness of the compressor around the central opening; 
 a projection extending from and provided around the central opening, the projection being thinner than the closed ridge in the axial direction and wider than the closed ridge in a radial direction of the body; and 
 a plurality of peripheral openings provided on a perimeter of the projection for receiving a tool to rotate the compressor about a longitudinal axis of the body of the clamping hook assembly, wherein the compressor is free of a protrusion extending beyond a bottom surface of the projection opposite the closed ridge, 
 
 wherein the body comprises a first set of threads for mating with a second set of threads formed on the compressor to movably couple the body and the compressor, the first set of threads extending from a portion of the body around the rod-receiving portion to the curved portion of the hook.